Goodbye
to quiet
moments
before and after
visits to a
bunch of
attractions
off the
north saskatchewan
river
light shining through
The zoo
has a kea
in its bird collection
wings and eyes
dead empty
we’ve seen you dance
pinching cakes
at Arthurs Pass
we tell it
through
weeping
bars
gently
I’m at my
breaking point
my breaking point
Goodbye
to Remedy Café
we loved your
cakes
and
local organics
your caffeine fixes
‘n blitzed up elixirs
chai lattes
stewed
for three
days and
nights
fill up my heart
or tear it apart
Goodbye to
our daughter
her Edmonton
man’s
back-yard
silent
‘til eleven
been waiting for
your company
the Metis Indian
neighbours’
invitation
to “a fire”
last Thursday
still warming
the air this
Labour Monday
and the squirrels
are quiet
you take my heart
into everything
you do
In the
dark belly of our
basement quarters
renovated
through a
sub-zero winter
we’ve prayed
in whispers
summer bush
fires
let it rain
rain rain
the stumble and gurgle
of the gas
air conditioning
a treat
to the beat of
what’s deep
and active
I’m with you my love
From bed
sent our smoke signals
three stories out
found a sky
to rest on
my toothache
settled
knock knock
knockin’
on heaven’s door
God said
‘I have
Everything sorted’
felt the download
like an upload
God’s great sense
of fun-load
I said
you put my heart
on overload
Am sure He said
I feel wonderful
tonight
Drove south
found a field
with prairie fever
small otter-e heads
popping
up all over
amazing
tunnel
architecture
getting too dark
to see
From the car
the plains
go nowhere
much
between grey pylons
under pounce
of crash and boom
clouds
lately bush fire yellow
or a red sun
you don’t realise
how much
I love
You
Feels like
we’re drifters
our voices
lost in prairie
time and distance
further than
imagination
goes
I must be strong
and carry
on
Thanks
Mr Clapton
we’re singing
Alberta Alberta
in all your
wandering
places
in all your
wondering
tones
©Tess Ashton
Image Eric Clapton, Leonid Afrema with kind permission